By May Hunter, For Iron County Today
The theme of the 2026 Iron County Fair in Parowan, Utah, is Rockin’ the ’90s. The fair runs September 4–7 and is always well attended. This year’s Fair Board has gone above and beyond, featuring special events that celebrate America’s 250th birthday alongside the 90th anniversary of the PRCA Rodeo.
- Family Fun Night: Thursday, September 3, from 4–10 p.m., featuring a baby contest, 4-D barrel racing, and a magic show.
- Main fair dates: September 4–7, 2026.
- Featured events: PRCA Rodeo nights, demolition derby, lawn mower races, carnival, exhibits, live music, and the traditional Labor Day parade.
- Admission: General admission to the fair is free, although tickets are required for certain grandstand events and the carnival.
Preserving the Past, Celebrating the Future
The Iron County Fair takes place every Labor Day weekend. It is a tradition that continues to live on.
“Can anybody tell us what, if any, steps have been taken for the holding of a county fair?” That was the question posed by the Iron County Record on April 17, 1903. During the coming months of July and August, a time that would be too late to do seasonal work, the Record said, “People will be talking about holding a fair….”
According to available records, the first Iron County Fair was held in 1903. Unlike today, the fair rotated between Parowan and Cedar City. At the time, Iron County’s population was only 3,536. Cedar City, with a population of 1,425, was not much larger than Parowan, which had 1,039 residents.
“The mayor, at that time, had given his consent for the Parowan people to go ahead with the county fair.”
Consider the transportation of the day: These were the horse-and-buggy years, a decade before Henry Ford perfected the Model T production line in 1913. Five years later, Utah had only 873 cars statewide.
The Iron County Event Center and the Iron County Fair PRCA regular season feature several “last-chance” rodeos, where cowboys make their final push to break into the top 15 and qualify for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas this December. It is an intense time of year for everyone involved in the sport of rodeo.
The Parowan Labor Day Parade
Officially part of the Iron County Fair. begins promptly at 10 a.m. on Labor Day, Monday, September 7, 2026. Parades bring a sense of community to small towns, allowing neighbors and strangers alike to come together in celebration.
The Iron County Fair continues to bring families, neighbors, and friends together to reminisce about old times and create new memories. Plan to attend the 2026 Iron County Fair and make a few more memories of your own.
THE PAST IS MADE UP OF MOMENTS LOVED!
“There is something that feels so all-American about a county fair.” — Anna Wilkerson